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Charlevoix County imposes temporary slow-no-wake rules and seeks six-month Local Watercraft Control for Thumb Lake
Summary
The Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners on June 10 approved an immediate slow-no-wake speed restriction on a narrows of Thumb Lake and authorized applying to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a six-month Local Watercraft Control ordinance covering the same area to address hazardous high-water conditions.
The Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners voted June 10 to temporarily reduce speeds on part of Thumb Lake and to pursue a six‑month Local Watercraft Control (LWC) ordinance with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Commissioners adopted Resolution 26-049 to impose a temporary slow-no-wake speed limit in the narrows between Horner Island and Frog Island and continuing one-half mile east to a point from Pioneer Trail at Delta Lane. The restriction takes effect June 10, 2026, and is set to remain in place through June 24, 2026, unless the board acts to rescind or extend it. The board cited MCL 324.80146 as authority and authorized the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office and other appropriate law enforcement to enforce the restriction. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Commissioner Annemarie Conway and seconded by Commissioner Tim Kenney; the motion carried on a 6-0 voice vote.
Separately, the board adopted Resolution 26-050 authorizing submittal of an application under MCL 324.80112a to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a temporary six-month Local Watercraft Control ordinance that would impose the same slow-no-wake limits over the designated area. The resolution authorizes the County Clerk and other county officials to execute and submit application documents. Commissioner Robert Jess moved the application authorization and Commissioner Joshua Chamberlain seconded; the motion carried on a 6-0 voice vote.
The board opened a public hearing on the proposed temporary LWC at 9:36 a.m. and closed it at 9:38 a.m.; no comments were offered during the hearing. Earlier in the meeting a Thumb Lake resident, Terri Denhof, spoke during public comment about the lake’s water level.
The board framed both actions as measures to protect life and property in response to “unprecedented rainfall and resulting high water levels,” language included in the resolution text. The immediate speed restriction enacted by Resolution 26-049 provides an enforceable, short-term safety measure while the county pursues the longer six-month LWC authorization through the state process.
